GB2412899A

GB2412899A - Wheelbarrow with a variable position axle

Info

Publication number: GB2412899A
Application number: GB0408089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Everley Michael Kitching; Caroline Susan Kitching
Original assignee: Haygate Engineering Co Ltd
Current assignee: Haygate Engineering Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-04-08
Filing date: 2004-04-08
Publication date: 2005-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-08
Also published as: GB2412899B; GB0408089D0

Abstract

A wheelbarrow 1 includes a wheel 3 mounted on an axle 4, wherein the axle is movable between a plurality of predetermined distinct positions (see figures 1 to 3), so that the weight to be lifted by the user lifting handles 2 of the wheelbarrow may be altered depending on a load to be moved. The wheelbarrow may comprise a moulded plastics body with integral handles 2, and supports 5, said predetermined positions comprising a plurality of apertures 6 in the body. A top portion of the wheelbarrow may comprise a basket (8 figure 4) and/or guides (10) for receiving handle ends of long handled gardening implements. The sides of the wheelbarrow may be provided with mesh extensions, and there may be hooks for securing a netting cover. A tow bar may be attached to an attachment point (7 figure 5) so that the wheelbarrow may be pulled along by a vehicle.

Description

24 1 2899

WHEELBARROW

This invention relates to a wheelbarrow and in particular relates to a wheelbarrow having a movable axle.

Wheelbarrows generally comprise a frame to support a container portion for carrying a load, at least one wheel connected to the frame, forward of a centre of gravity of the wheelbarrow when loaded, and a pair of handles extending rearwardly from the frame.

According to the present invention a wheelbarrow includes a wheel mounted on an axle, wherein the axle is movable between a plurality of predetermined distinct positions. Accordingly, the axle may be positioned either closer to or further from a centre of gravity of the wheelbarrow when it is loaded, thus altering a weight to be lifted by a user using handles of the wheelbarrow. By positioning the axle closer to the centre of gravity the wheelbarrow becomes more suitable for moving heavy loads.

By positioning the axle further from the centre of gravity, and further from the handles, the wheelbarrow becomes more suitable for tipping light loads from the wheelbarrow when it is raised to a near vertical orientation.

Preferably, the axle is directly mounted on a body of the wheelbarrow thus negating the requirement for a separate frame beneath the body.

The wheelbarrow handles may be integrally formed with the body. The body may be double skinned to increase the strength and hence the load bearing capacity of the wheelbarrow. The body is typically formed of a plastics material to eliminate the possibility of the body corroding. The body is generally moulded by either injection or rotation moulding.

The wheelbarrow may also comprise a basket for receiving gardening implements in a top portion of the body. The basket preferably extends across the full width of the body of the wheelbarrow. The basket may be covered with a lid. Preferably a guide or guides are provided in a side of the basket for receiving handle ends of long handled gardening implements.

The underside of the body may include an attachment point for receiving a tow bar, so that the wheelbarrow may be towed by a towing vehicle, for example a small tractor.

Legs may also be integrally formed with the body extending downwardly beneath the body aft of the axle positions. In conventional use the wheelbarrow may rest on these legs when not being lifted by the user.

In order to locate the axle in each of the plurality of predetermined distinct positions the body may be provided with a plurality of apertures formed for receiving the axle. Preferably three predetermined axle positions are provided. Further preferably the axle has a wheel connectable to each end thereof.

The present invention will now be described in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention with the axle located in a first position; Figure 2 shows the wheelbarrow with the axle in a second position; Figure 3 shows the wheelbarrow with the axle in a third position; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the wheelbarrow with the axle in the third position; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the underside of the body of the wheelbarrow.

As shown in Figure 1, the wheelbarrow includes a body 1, a pair of handles 2, 12 and a pair of wheels 3 mounted on an axle 4. A pair of legs 5 are integrally moulded with the body 1 as are the handles 2, 12. Three pairs of apertures 6 are located towards a front of the wheelbarrow body 1 on its underside for receiving the axle 4 in one of three predetermined discrete positions. The interior of the body 1 of the wheelbarrow is curved such that items will easily fall from the wheelbarrow when it is tipped to a near vertical position with the handles 2, 12 raised uppermost. The pair of handles 2, 12 comprise a number of portions such the user may grip the handles with their hands in either a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical configuration using handle portions 2 or 12, respectively. Handle portions 12 greatly assist in tipping the wheelbarrow being located on the underside of handle portions 2.

With the axle located in the first position, as shown in Figure 1, the wheelbarrow is particularly manocuvrable and may be used to carry heavy loads without placing a great burden on the user in lifting using the pair of handle portions 2. However, in this first configuration it becomes relatively difficult to tip the wheelbarrow into a substantially vertical orientation. The pair of handle portions 12 assist to user in tipping the wheelbarrow to the substantially vertical position with the axle in the first position.

With the axle 4 located in the third position, as shown in Figure 3, the wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention is suitable for being used to carrying light loads. In this configuration the wheelbarrow is less manoeuvrable than in the first configuration. However, the wheelbarrow may be easily tipped to the substantially vertical position.

With the axle 4 located in the second position as shown in Figure 2 a compromise is achieved between the advantages and disadvantages of locating the axle 4 in either the first or third positions and makes the wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention particularly suitable for medium sized loads.

The body 1 has a number of hooks 14 arranged around the body. Netting may be secured over the body 1 using the hooks 14 to prevent spillage of the load. In addition attachment points for securing mesh sides are provided adjacent the hooks 14. The mesh sides increase the overall load carrying capacity of the barrow.

The axle 4 is a tubular metal bar. The wheels 3 are rotatably mounted onto ends of the axle 4. Removable fixing clips prevent the wheels 3 from detaching from the axle 4. According to the embodiment described, the apertures 6 in the underside of the wheelbarrow body 1 for receiving the axle 4 have bushes to create a smooth bearing surface for contact with the axle 4. The bushes are made from heavy duty steel. A spacer is provided between the body 1 and each wheel 3 connected to the axle 4. An "R"- clip passes through a pin hole at each end of the axle 4 to retain the wheels 3 on the axle 4. A washer is disposed between the "R"-clip and the wheel 3 on each end of the axle 4. By pressing legs of the "R"-clip together and removing it from the axle pin hole, the wheel 3 may be removed from its respective end of the axle 4.

The underside of the body 1 of the wheelbarrow is shown in Figure 5 and comprises an attachment point 7 for receiving a tow bar, so that the wheelbarrow may be towed by a towing vehicle. The tow bar has a bushed hole in one end through which the axle 4 can pass. The tow bar further has a protrusion for engaging with the attachment point 7 towards the centre of the tow bar. The attachment point 7 includes a pair of pin holes 11. The tow bar protrusion includes a corresponding pin hole so that a securing pin can be passed through the tow bar protrusion pin hole and the wheelbarrow attachment point 7 pin hole. The tow bar is connected by sliding the tow bar beneath the wheelbarrow between the legs 5 and positioning the one end of the tow bar adjacent the axle 4. The axle 4 is passed through the one of the apertures 6, through the bushed hole of the tow bar and through an opposite aperture 6. Upon raising the other end of the tow bar when connecting it to the towing vehicle, the tow bar protrusion will become located within the attachment point of the wheelbarrow thus lifting the legs 5 of the wheelbarrow from the ground for towing. The securing pin may then be passed through the tow bar protrusion and the attachment point 7. For stability the wheels 3 should be positioned in the third position furthest from the handles 2,12, as shown in Figure 3.

A top portion of the body 1 comprises a basket 8 extending across the full width of the wheelbarrow and guides 10 on one side of the basket 8 for receiving handle ends of long handled gardening implements, as shown in Figure 4. A lid (not shown) may be provided for covering the basket 8. A small hole or holes are provided in the basket 8 for drainage.

The body 1 also includes ledges 13 in either side thereof upon which a plant tray can be placed. The plant tray is made of aluminium or steel and is used for supporting plants and the like on a planar surface.

The wheelbarrow body in accordance with the present invention may be formed in a single piece by rotation moulding with the body 1 having a double skin for increased strength. Alternatively, the body 1 may be formed by injection moulding to provide a single, thicker skin for increased durability. The wheelbarrow has a capacity of approximately 2. 8m3 (lOcuft).

Claims

1. A wheelbarrow including a wheel mounted on an axle, wherein the axle is movable between a plurality of predetermined distinct positions, so that the weight to be lifted by a user using handles of the wheelbarrow may be altered depending on a load to be moved.

2. The wheelbarrow according to claim 1, wherein the axle is directly mounted on a body of the wheelbarrow.

3. The wheelbarrow according to claim 2, wherein the handles are integrally formed with the body.

4. The wheelbarrow according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the body is double skinned.

5. The wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the body is moulded by rotation moulding.

6. The wheelbarrow according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the body is moulded by injection moulding.

7. The wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a top portion of the body comprises a basket and/or a guide or guides for receiving handle ends of long handled gardening implements.

8. The wheel barrow according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the body further comprises an attachment point for receiving a tow bar, so that the wheelbarrow may be towed by a towing vehicle.

9. The wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein legs are integrally formed with the body.

10. The wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the body has a plurality of apertures formed therein for receiving the axle in the predetermined positions.

11. The wheel barrow according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the body has a ledge or ledges for supporting a shelf.

12. The wheel barrow according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the body has hooks for securing netting thereto to prevent spillage of the load.

13. The wheel barrow according to any one of claims 2 to 12, further including mesh sides extending upwardly from the body and connected thereto.

14. The wheelbarrow according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein three predetermined axle positions are provided.

15. The wheelbarrow according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle has a wheel connectable to each end thereof.

16. A wheelbarrow substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.